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Why Edwards missed the Lions' cut

Thu, 13 Dec 2012 12:19

British and Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland said he needed some 'fresh faces' in his backroom staff for the 2013 tour of Australia.

Gatland on Wednesday named a trio of assistants - Rob Howley, Andy Farrell and Graham Rowntree - with the absence of Wales defence specialist Shaun Edwards the only real shock.

England forwards specialist Rowntree and backs coach Howley of Wales were part of the 2009 Lions coaching team in South Africa.

Edwards, though, was overlooked for the role of defence coach in favour of the highly rated Farrell, who is also part of England's coaching team and will be on his first Lions tour as a player or coach.

"It was a difficult decision to make ... he's a world-class coach," Gatland said of Edwards.

"But it was about keeping continuity and also making sure fresh faces came in."

Edwards and Gatland have enjoyed considerable success together for the past decade, linking up first for a trophy-laden spell with London Wasps in the English Premiership from 2002-05.

Edwards has worked under Gatland for Wales since 2008, during which time the team has won two Grand Slams in the Six Nations.

It will have been a difficult decision for Gatland to break up one of the Northern Hemisphere's top coaching partnerships but he has been impressed with Farrell's recent work with Saracens and then England.

"To be honest, picking Andy is a bit of a selfish appointment," Gatland said.

"It gives me the chance to work with someone with fresh ideas who I haven't worked with before. It will enable me to develop and look at the game differently as well."